JPH01291273A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent unnecessary agitation and to shorten the wait time up to the start of image formation by measuring the nonuse time of a developing unit and performing agitation only when the developing unit is not used for a specific time. CONSTITUTION:A main body control part is provided with timers for respective color developing units 13a-13c. Then a time is set to a timer after copying operation which uses the corresponding developing unit is finished, and the timer counts down, so that the timer stops counting down when its contents become '0'. Namely, when the contents are '0', that indicates that the agitation is necessary. Namely, when a copy mode wherein a green developing unit is used is specified again and a copy key is pressed, the agitation processing is performed only when a specific time is elapsed after the value of the timer is '0', namely, after last copying operation is finished. Consequently, the time up to the start of image formation is shortened.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a developing means.

[Prior art]

In recent years, in addition to a developing device for colors other than black, a device in which a developing device containing a developer for red or the like is built into the main body has been considered.

Since such a color developing device uses a mixture of toner and carrier, it is necessary to form an image with uniform density. To this end, toner and carrier must be stirred before using a color developing device.

[Problem that the invention is trying to solve] However,
Stirring before using the color developer increases the time it takes to start image formation, and if the color developer is used frequently, stirring may be necessary even though the density is uniform. Waiting time is wasted.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides means for stirring the developer contained in the developing means, means for measuring the non-operating time of the developing means, and a means for measuring the non-operating time of the developing means such that the non-operating time of the developing means exceeds a predetermined time. when the stirring means is operated before the image forming operation, and when the non-operating time is shorter than the predetermined time,
and a control means for performing the image forming operation without operating the stirring operation.

[Effect]

With the above configuration, since stirring is not performed when the toner and carrier concentrations are uniform, the waiting time until the start of image formation can be shortened, and the operator can be less bothered.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus (copying machine) to which a multiple developing device storage device according to the present invention is applied.

Note that the image forming apparatus described above is capable of forming images on both screens in different colors and forming multiple images.

First, an image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing device storage devices will be described.

The original 2 placed on the original placing glass 1 is illuminated by the lamp 3, and its light image is reflected by the reflecting mirrors 4, 5, 6, 7.
．． 8. 9 and a zoom lens 10, the light is guided onto the photosensitive drum 11. □The lamp 3 and mirrors 4, 5, and 6 each move at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow A to scan the original 2.

On the other hand, after the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged by the -number charger 12, the photosensitive drum 11 rotates in the direction of arrow B, so that the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 11 has an electrostatic charge corresponding to the original image. Latent images are formed sequentially. This photosensitive drum 1
1 is surrounded by one color toner (for example, green toner)
(In the above case, green developer 13
c) and a black developing device 14 containing black toner are provided. These developing devices 13c and 14 are respectively indicated by arrow c.
, c', and approaches the photosensitive drum 11 in accordance with the desired color image, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11.

In the case of FIG. 1, the green developing device 13c, which is one of the color developing devices, is separated from the photosensitive drum 11, and the black developing device 14 is separated from the photosensitive drum 11.
1, a black image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11. This black image is transferred onto a transfer material (transfer paper) 17 by a transfer charger 15.

Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 11 reaches a cleaner 16, where residual toner on the outer surface of the drum is removed.

Then, the same operation as above is repeated, and the process moves to the next image forming step.

Transfer material 17 to image forming means mainly composed of photosensitive drum 11
The following methods are available for supplying: In the first method, the transfer material 17 loaded in the cassette 18 is sent to the roller pair 20 by the paper feed roller 19, and when a plurality of transfer materials 17 are fed in an overlapping manner, the roller pair 20 is the first one. Only the upper transfer material 17 is separated and supplied to an image/forming means. The transfer material 17 that has passed through the roller pair 20 is
Guide 21. 22°28, feeding roller pair 50. It reaches the registration roller 23 via the guide plates 5'l and 52.53.

In the second method, the transfer material 17 loaded in the cassette 24 is sent to the roller pair 26 by the paper feed roller 25, the roller pair 26 has the same function as the roller pair 20, and the transfer material 17 is fed to the roller pair 26 by the paper feed roller 25. After passing through the guide plate 27. 2
8. 21. Feeding roller pair 50, guide plates 51, 52.
53 to the registration roller 23.

On the other hand, the registration roller 23 starts rotating at a timing such that the developed image on the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer material 17 coincide with each other, and the upper transfer guide 31. The transfer material 17 is sent to the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 11 via the lower transfer guide 32.

The image on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the transfer material 17 by the transfer charger 15, and this transfer material 17 is separated from the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by the separation charger 33, and transferred to the heating roller via the conveyance section 34. and a pressure roller. The image on the transfer material 17 heated and pressurized by the fixing device 35 is fixed as a permanent image.

The transfer material 17 is then sent to the first discharge roller 36, and then to the flapper 37. 3'8 to the second discharge roller 3
9 and is ejected from the aircraft. In Figure 1, the flapper 38
is blocking the transfer material path, but flapper 3
B is made of a light material and is rotatable in the direction of the arrow, so that when the transfer material 17 passes, the transfer material 17
Since it is pushed up by the tip of the transfer material 17 and retracted from the transfer material 17, there is no problem with the passage of the transfer material 17.

Next, the multiple developer housing device 150 that is optionally installed outside the image forming apparatus main body 100 will be described.

The multiple developer storage device 150 is located in the image forming apparatus main body 100.
When forming a color image using a color developing device other than the black developing device 14 fixedly installed inside the main body 100, it is optionally installed outside the main body 100, and the desired color developing device can be attached to the photosensitive member of the main body 100. It is supplied and transported near the tram 11.

Storage case 15 which is the main body of multiple developer storage device 150
1 are partitions 151a and 151b that divide the interior.

151c, and partitions 151a, 151b, 1
Color developing devices storing different color toners are removably housed on the main body 100 side on the 51c.

That is, a red developing device 13a containing red toner, a blue developing device 13b containing blue toner, and a green developing device 13c containing green toner are stored and mounted.

However, in the state shown in FIG. 1, the green developing device 13c is not present in the storage case 151, and the photosensitive drum 1
1 and is in a state of preparation for developing an electrostatic image. In addition, such a color developing device (green developing device 1
3c) is carried out by the developing unit transporting means X shown in FIG.
carried out by In this case, the color developing device in the storage case 151 is carried into the main body 100 through the entrance 55 provided in the main body 100.

The storage case 1 is moved by the case moving means Y shown in FIG.
51 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the main body 100.

Therefore, by driving the case moving means Y, the partitions (151a to 15
1c) with the loading port 55 on the main body 100 side (in the case of FIG. It can be transported to

For example, when the image forming apparatus selects the red developing device 13a, first, the developing device transport means X shown in FIG.
The green developing device 13c is transferred and placed on the partition 151c of the storage case 151. Then, the green developing device 13c is placed in the storage case 1.
51c, the presence of the green developing device 13c is confirmed by the developing device detection sensor shown in FIG. Green developer L
3c, the storage case 151 starts moving vertically (downward in the above case) relative to the main body 100 by the case moving means Y shown in FIG. The partition 151a on which 13a is placed is the main body 1.
When moving to a position that matches the loading port 55 of 00,
The storage case 151 stops. Next, the red developing device 13a
The photosensitive drum 1 is moved by the developing device transport means X shown in FIG.
1, and the electrostatic image is prepared to be developed. Note that even if another color developer in the storage case 151 is selected, the same operation as in the case where the red developer 13a is selected is performed.

Next, the operation of guiding the color developing devices 13a, 13b, and 13c from the main body or storage case 151 to the vicinity of the photosensitive tram 11, and the operation of guiding the color developing devices 13a, 13b, and 13c from the storage case 151 to the main body will be explained.

In FIG. 3(1), the developing unit horizontal moving means A.

B is for moving the color developing device 13 in the F direction (forward) or the B direction (backward) by rotating the color developing device driving gears 178c and 179c. In the horizontal movement means A, B, when the horizontal motor 172 rotates, the drive transmission gears 173a, 173b rotate, and when the gear 173a rotates, the gear 178a rotates.

Gear 178c rotates via 173b. Similarly, when gear 173b rotates, gears 179a and 179b
The gear 179c rotates via. The gears that transmit the rotation of the horizontal motor 172 to the gears 173a and 173b are omitted from the figure.

The horizontal moving means A and E pressurize the color developing device 13c inside the storage case 151c by means of springs (not shown). When the developer vertical moving means Y moves the developer storage case 151 in the up force direction and the down direction shown in FIG. 2, by driving the solenoids 169a and 169b,
The horizontal moving means A and B are separated from the storage case 151.

Therefore, the horizontal moving means A and B do not interfere with the operation of the color developer vertical moving means Y. The sensors 170a, 170b detect that the horizontal moving means A, B are sufficiently separated from the storage case 151, and the sensors 170a, 1
The reference numeral 70b is composed of a known photo ink converter.

FIG. 3(2) is a diagram showing the configuration of the developing device detection sensor.

The photo ink printer 177 detects the presence of the color developer 13 by the movement of the developer detection lever 176.

Next, a description will be given of the developer replacement operation when the copy color is specified on the main body side.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the developer replacement operation in the above embodiment.

When the operator specifies a color using the developer color selection key on the main body operation section 204 (S21), the designated color developer is inserted into the main body. That is, the color of the color developing device in the main body determined based on the color code signals 57a, 57b, and 57c input to the main body control unit 203 is compared with the color of each stage in the storage case 151 (822). If the color of the color developer in the main body is equal to the designated color, the developer exchange operation ends.

If the developer in the main unit is different from the specified color, storage case 15
Search for an empty column within 1 (S23). At this time, there is a method of preferentially searching from the top or bottom, but searching from the bottom has the advantage that the distance the storage case 151 has to be moved is shorter. In this case, move the storage case 151 and align the step of the window with the color developer outlet 55 in the main body (S24).
, the developing device taken out from the main body is stored in the step of the window (
S25).

Then return the storage case to the vertical home position (S
26).

Next, a color developing device of the specified color is carried into the main body.

In this case, the storage case 151 is moved, the designated color stage is aligned with the loading port 55 (S27), and the color developing device of the designated color is loaded into the main body (32B). This completes the communication between the main body and the multiple developer storage device 150, so from now on,
The main body side may start moving independently. Thereafter, the storage case 151 is returned to the vertical home position (S2
9). Incidentally, in S22, if there is no color developing device in the main body, the process advances by S27.

If you replace the developer using the above procedure, the multiple developer storage device 1
Since it is possible to sequentially install all the developing devices housed in the main body, multi-color copying such as red, blue, black, brown, etc. is possible.

If the vertical home position sensor 159 cannot detect the occurrence of an abnormal situation within a predetermined time during vertical and horizontal movement, an operation to notify the main body of the occurrence of an abnormal situation and stop the operation of the storage device is performed in the developer replacement operation. included.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus having a multiple developer storage device 150 and a control section 200 of the multiple developer storage device 150.

Regarding the control of the image forming apparatus, only the portions related to the present invention are described.

The main body control unit (control unit of the image forming apparatus) 203 and the control unit 200 of the multiple developer storage device 150 perform known data communication (serial communication) to exchange abnormal data, color information of color developers, etc. control by

The main body control unit 203 controls the color developing device 1 to be transferred into the main body.
The color code signals 57a and 57b of the color developer 13 are input by connecting the pressure drive clutch 216 for pressurizing the photoreceptor drum 11 with the developer connector 57.

57c and the main body operation section 204. The main body control unit 204 has a start key (copy key) 20 for image formation.
7, which is a man-machine ink face for inputting and outputting various information, and an example of its configuration is shown in FIG. 5 (2).

The control section 200 of the multiple developer storage device includes a main body control section 2'
Based on the communication data sent from 03, the color developing device 13 is controlled to be carried into the vicinity of the main photosensitive drum 11, the color developing device 13 near the photosensitive drum 11 is controlled to be carried out to the storage case 151, and the color developing device 13 is moved to the door. Transferred to the vicinity of 152,
The color developing device 13 is controlled to be taken out, and the color developing device manually brought into the vicinity of the door 152 is stored in the storage case 151.
and control to transfer and fix it.

The control unit 200 also controls the color developing device 1 in the storage case 151.
3a, 13b, 13c color detection marks 166a,
166'b.

166c is read by the color detection sensor 167, and the main body control unit 2
LEDs 224a, 224b, 224 of the operation unit 225 control the transmission of the read data to the storage case 151a, 151b, 151c and display the colors inside each storage case 151a, 151b, 151c.
c, 22'4d (shown in FIG. 5(1)), and motor 171.c. 172 and performs control to transmit error data to the main body control unit 203.

The control unit 200 also has an I/F (ink face ) circuit, a circuit for communicating with the main body control section, an LED driver 41 circuit of the operation section 225, and a key input circuit.

The color code sensor 167 uses a reflective photo ink printer to read and output information from the color detection marks 166a to 166c.

FIG. 5(1) is a diagram showing the operating section 225 of the multiple developer storage device, and FIG. 5(2) is a diagram showing the main body operating section 204 of the image forming apparatus.

The input switches (keys) in the main body operation unit 204 include a numeric keypad 205, a key for inputting special modes such as multiple copy mode, a reset key 206 for canceling the mode entered by the caniglia 214, and a storage capacity for the image transfer material 17. cassette key 208 for selecting the paper feed of 18.24
It consists of a clear/stop key 209 for stopping input values and image formation, and a power switch 213.

Further, the man-machine ink face on the main body operation section 204 is connected to the cassette 18. 24, a liquid crystal display section 215 that displays the copying (image forming) status, etc., and an LED that displays the color of the selected developing device.
210.211a (red), 211b (blue).

It consists of 211c (brown) and 211d (green).

The operating section 225 shown in FIG. 5(1) is located in the storage case 151.
Select key 220 for selecting a, 151b, 151c
, an eject key 221 that instructs to transfer the developing device to the vicinity of the door 152 of the storage case 150, and a select display LED 2 that displays the storage case specified by the select key 220.
23a, 223b, 223c, select) color display LEDs 224a (red), 224b (blue), 2 for displaying the color of the developing unit in the storage case specified by the key 220;
24c (brown), 224d (green), and an LED 222 that indicates when the color developing device is being transferred.

Next, control of stirring of the color developing units 13a to 13c, which is a feature of the present invention, will be explained.

The main body control unit 203 includes color developing devices 13a, 13b,
13c, a timer 300 (not shown), respectively.
a.

300b and 300c are provided. After copying using the developer is completed, a timer is set to count down, and when the timer reaches O, the countdown stops. In other words, if the timer value is O, it indicates that stirring is necessary. The control is as shown in the flowchart shown in FIG.
(Step 401). This creates a condition where forced stirring is required. Next, for example, if you specify a copy mode that uses the green developing device 13c and press the copy key, the process goes from step 402 to step 403.
It is determined that it is a color copy, and in step 404, a comparison is made to see if the content of the timer 3000 corresponding to the green developing device 13c is greater than O. In this case, the timer 300c remains cleared after the power is turned on, so step 405
Go to the main body, carry the green developing device into the main body, and install the green developing device 13.
Perform the stirring step c. Next, after copy processing is performed in the mode specified in step 406, data indicating 10 minutes is set in the timer 3000 and a countdown begins (step 407). After that, the process advances to step 402 of copy key waiting processing.

When the copy mode using the green developer is specified again and the copy key is pressed, if the timer value is 0, that is, 10 minutes or more have elapsed since the last copy was completed, the agitation process of step 405 is performed. Also, if the timer value is greater than 0, that is, within 10 minutes from the end of the previous copy,
The copy process in step 406 is performed without stirring in step 405. The same applies to the other developing devices 13a and 13b.

Further, when copying using a black developing device is performed, when the copy key is pressed (step 402), it is judged in step 403 that the copy is not a sexy copy, so the process goes to step 408, where the developing device is not stirred. And again process 402
Waiting for the copy key. As described above, for copying using color developing devices, stirring is performed only after the power is turned on and when a specified color developing device has not been used for 10 minutes or more, and stirring is not performed otherwise.

Note that each of the timers 300a to 300C is backed up by a battery, and continues counting even while the power switch is turned off.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the color developing device 13. FIG. 8(1) is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 8(2) is a top sectional view. Reference numeral 191 denotes a developing sleeve, which uniformly places color toner on its surface and forms a toner image on the drum 11 by applying a developing bias. 192. 193 is a stirring screw, which has a spiral configuration, and the rotation of the screw causes the 8th
The toner and carrier are moved and stirred in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure (2).

In the above embodiment, a timer is provided for each developing device, but a method of using only one timer is also conceivable. This can be done by presetting a timer when the color developing device housed in the main body is replaced and after copying using the color developing device is completed. That is, when the developing device is not replaced, the same operation as in the above embodiment is performed, and when the developing device is replaced, the timer is preset even if 10 minutes have not passed since the end of the previous copy. This is because there is a high possibility that the developing device stored in the autochanger was not used for a long time.
This is done in consideration of the case where the toner and carrier densities become non-uniform due to a signal during the developer replacement operation.

〔effect〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the non-use time of the developing device is measured and stirring is performed only when the developing device has not been used for a predetermined period of time or more, which prevents unnecessary stirring. The waiting time until the formation starts can be made as short as possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the developing device storage device, Fig. 3 (1) is a top view of the developing device storage device, and Fig. 3 (2) is a top view of the developing device storage device.
4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 5 (1) is a diagram showing the operation section of the developing device storage device, and FIG. 5 (2) is a diagram showing the configuration of the developing device detection sensor. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of replacing the developing device, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the image forming operation including the stirring operation of the developing device, and FIG. 8 is the configuration of the developing device. FIG. 13 is a developing device, 192.193 is a stirring screw.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus having a developing means for forming a visible image on a recording medium, a means for stirring the developer contained in the developing means, and a means for measuring the non-operating time of the developing means. , when the non-operating time of the developing means is longer than a predetermined time, the stirring means is operated before the image forming operation, and when the non-operating time is shorter than the predetermined time, the image is formed without operating the stirring operation. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for performing an operation. (2) The image forming apparatus according to item (1), further comprising a plurality of developing means, and wherein the measuring means measures the non-operating time for each of the plurality of developing means.